Somewhere in the Shinobi World!
A figure wearing a black Akatsuki Cloak patterned with red clouds and a Spiral Mask stood quietly at the edge of a cliff.
"Zetsu, how did it go?"
"Did you find any useful information?"
A figure resembling a pitcher plant emerged from the ground.
His body was half black and half white, like yin and yang.
"Danzo fled Konoha. His whereabouts are unknown!"
"After their defeat, Kumogakure, Kirigakure, and Iwagakure wanted to ease tensions with Konoha!"
"They're preparing to send delegations to Konoha for peace talks!"
"The Raikage even proposed holding joint Chunin Ninja Exams involving all Five Great Shinobi Villages!"
The Masked Man nodded, signaling for Zetsu to continue.
"Zhou Cheng's background is rather unusual!"
"Both his parents were powerful Shinobi from Kirigakure!"
"They died in the internal strife while you were controlling the Fourth Mizukage!"
"As for his true strength, I couldn't determine it!"
"He holds something back every time he acts!"
"He reveals new abilities in every battle!"
"Most importantly, he and the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki are practically brothers!"
"If we want to capture the Nine-Tails, he'll be our greatest obstacle!"
The Masked Man nodded. "Send Kakuzu and his partner-the immortal duo-to test him first!"
"If he's only Kage Level, he's nothing to worry about!"
"Also, keep watching Itachi. He's been getting restless since his little brother left Konoha!"
"Yes, sir!"
Zetsu acknowledged the order, then sank back into the ground and disappeared.
It was as though he had never been there.
That was why Zetsu was assigned specifically to gather intelligence.
He could move freely through any plant.
He left no trace whatsoever, making him impossible to detect!
The Masked Man raised his right hand and murmured:
"Rin, it won't be long now!"
"A world with you in it!"
On the